Around 50 people – from toddlers through to senior citizens – joined the BAPS Annual 10K Challenge in Milton Keynes on Sunday 24 April 2016.

The charity Challenge organised by BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS) brought together more than 3,000 enthusiastic participants from towns and cities across the UK for a fun and healthy way to raise money for various worthy causes and local charities.

The funds from this year’s event in Milton Keynes will go towards BAPS’s multifarious educational, community and spiritual activities serving children, youths, families and the elderly. Some of the funds will also be donated to the Milton Keynes Cardiac Group, to support their outstanding work in the local community of offering a safe environment for people with cardiac conditions and/or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Previous national partners, under the auspices of BAPS and BAPS Charities, have included the British Heart Foundation, Diabetes UK, Breast Cancer Care, Age UK, Barnardo’s, KIDS, The Anthony Nolan Trust, and Macmillan Cancer Support. Locally, the Challenge has helped Age UK, Willen Hospice, and Ride High, a charity working for disadvantaged children.

The event kicked off shortly after 10.00am from the Milton Keynes Campbell Park in the presence of Cllr Peter Marland (Council Leader) and Deputy Mayor Cllr Steve Coventry.

After the opening ceremony, walkers, joggers and runners moved along the route within the picturesque park located at the heart of Milton Keynes.